YOUR VIEWS: Removing grocery tax would have made system more fair

I am writing in response to two letters (Your Views, Sunday) that support the Legislature's failure to remove the state sales tax from groceries.

First, both letters seem to make the case that sales taxes are the most equitable of all taxes because everyone pays the same percentage. To argue against the grocery tax bill on the basis of equity seems quite strange because a look at our overall tax structure reveals that poor people pay more than twice the percentage of their total income than what rich people pay in state and local taxes. To argue for not removing the sales tax on groceries based on arguments for equity is to be completely ignorant of Alabama's tax system or to care only about equity for the privileged.

A tax on groceries hits low-income people the hardest as a higher percentage of their income must go to basic necessities.

Second, one letter writer seems to argue that a high sales tax and a low property tax prevent an underground economy. Alabama has by far the lowest property tax of any state in the nation, but we can hardly claim we have a model economy. A tax system that is fair for all Alabamians will best spur legitimate economic development.

Had the grocery tax bill passed, 95 percent of Alabamians would pay less or the same amount in taxes. The wealthiest 5 percent would have seen their taxes increased. By voting against the grocery tax bill, our state leaders have once again chosen to take care of their cronies at the expense of the common good.

The Rev. R.G. LyonsBirmingham

POLICE SHOOT DOGS

Typical signs of police bullying

With my heartfelt apologies to Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper, in case the defendants are lying, the recent case of dog shooting has all the typical signs of police bullying. First, the officers behave badly, and then, the victims of their brutality get arrested for being upset.

The claim that police responded to a call of stray dogs within two minutes challenges credulity, as does the fact the police officers opened fire on Bessie and consorts without letting them bite first. What did the police expect when they ordered the man walking the dogs to take control of his dogs? That they would come marching back in North Korean-style lockstep?

If the wounds on Bessie do indeed demonstrate she was shot from behind, the two Birmingham police officers should be fired immediately, hopefully before they have a chance to practice their target-shooting skills on us.